When one travels high up in a mountainous region one may feel uncomfortable. The symptoms of discomfort include breathlessness, shortness of breath, and fatigue among others. Almost anyone can suffer from this malady usually associated with ones traveling up to great heights. This is known as altitude sickness.

Causes of Altitude Sickness

For the proper functioning of body muscles and organs we need proper supply of oxygen. But with the increase in altitude there is a decrease in the air- pressure which means that there is less oxygen molecules in the air. This results in the difficulty of breathing. The body is unable to get enough amount of oxygen which results in altitude sickness.Sometimes even veteran mountaineers may also suffer from altitude sickness.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

The symptoms that are associated with altitude sickness are tiredness and headache. People may also suffer from nausea. The severity of the sickness also depends on the height of the place. If the person goes to a place which is situated at a great height then the chances of suffering are more. Altitude sickness to a great extent is also dependent on the age as well as mental stamina of the person. The more the height which a person travels to the more are the symptoms. The appearance of the symptoms generally occurs when one is staying for a few hours at the high altitude place. At times the onset of the symptoms associated with altitude sickness is immediate while at times there is a slow but steady progression of the symptoms when one travels to high altitude.

Vomiting and chest pains are the common symptoms which are associated with altitude sickness. Acute headache is the most common symptom of altitude sickness.

These symptoms tend to disappear after a day or two. There is difficulty in walking as some swelling might occur in the brain. A person may suffer from coma if acute cases of sickness are not treated. At times it may also be fatal.

Altitude Sickness Treatment

One should definitely give due importance to altitude sickness. Even if the symptoms are mild it should be treated. The person should take adequate rest and a light diet should be consumed. If the symptoms appear again then going to greater heights should not be undertaken. A person should come down to a place of lower altitude till the disappearance of all the symptoms. In extreme cases hospitalized is also suggested. If altitude sickness results in the swelling of the brain then some medication becomes necessary. Oxygen is also given to the patient. People recover from altitude sickness very quickly.

If ascending is done at a slower pace the problem of altitude sickness can be avoided to a certain extent. The symptoms are generally temporary and subside with the passing of time. But it also proves fatal in extreme cases.

Altitude Sickness Prevention

With proper care and medication extreme cases of altitude sickness can be cured. People preferring to go to higher altitude should take proper care of maintaining their physical fitness. Intake of fluid should be increased. The appearance of the symptoms should not be taken lightly. Consumption of water should be increased. Fluids in the body tend to get lost when in high altitude. The water replaces those fluids but overdrinking of water also creates some problems. Drugs are sometime prescribed when a person suffers from acute altitude sickness. The drug acetazolamide.is administered to treat mild cases of altitude sickness. Taking large and deep breaths helps a long way in controlling altitude sickness.